Editing Kester Hsiun Chi

{{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}}
{{InfoBoxCharacter
| image               = Hsiun-Chi-warlord.png
| caption             = Warlord Kester Hsiun Chin in 3025
| name                = Kester Hsiun Chi
| birthdate           = [[2968]]
| died                = 
| othernames          = 
| affiliation         = [[Draconis Combine]]
| rank                = ''[[Tai-shu]]''
| title               = [[Warlord of Pesht]]<br/>[[Warlord of Galedon]]
| position            = 
| profession          = 
| parents             = 
| siblings            = 
| spouse              = 
| children            = 
}}

'''Kester Hsiun Chi''' was an officer in the [[Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery]] who would serve as [[Tai-shu|Warlord]] of both the [[Pesht Military District]] and then later the [[Galedon Military District]]. A pragmatic man and an excellent officer, he would loyally serve both [[Coordinator]] [[Takashi Kurita]] and Takashi's son and heir, ''[[Gunji-no-Kanrei#Gunji-no-Kanrei|Kanrei]]'' [[Theodore Kurita]]. 

==History==
===Early Life and Career===
Born to a minor noble family on the planet [[Midway]] in the [[Draconis Combine]], a chance encounter with an [[Internal Security Force]] agent led him to pursue a military career. He attended the [[DCMS#Sun-Tzu School of Combat|Sun-Tzu School of Combat]] and further attended the very prestigious [[DCMS#Wisdom of the Dragon|Wisdom of the Dragon]] academy on [[Kagoshima]]. After graduating from the Wisdom of the Dragon, he was assigned to the equally prestigious [[5th Sword of Light]].<ref name=HKDCSB180>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine) (sourcebook)'' p. 180</ref>

Chi served with distinction during his time with the Sword of Light, eventually reaching the rank of ''[[Sho-sa#Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery|Sho-sa]]''. During the Third Battle of [[Glenmora]], a [[PPC]] hit on his 'Mech's cockpit injured him to the point he had to receive a prosthetic left arm. During the final years of Coordinator [[Hohiro Kurita I|Hohiro Kurita]]'s reign, Chi refused orders to walk his troops into an obvious ambush. For his insubordination, he was publicly whipped, left in the sun for a week, and demoted to [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]].<ref name=HKDCSB180/>

Despite these setbacks, Chi persevered, and some years later had regained the rank of ''Sho-sa''. Takashi Kurita had, by this time, inherited his father's throne, and he recalled reading the report of Chi's demotion. Reclassifying the action a "prudent preservation of the Dragon's resources", Takashi promoted Chi to ''[[Chu-sa#Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery|Chu-sa]]'', and offered him the position of aide to Warlord [[Vasily Cherenkoff]] of the [[Dieron Military District]]. During his years serving Cherenkoff, Chi became his most trusted advisor, helping to shape several effective strategies.<ref name=HKDCSB180/>

===Warlord of Pesht===
In [[3014]], [[Simpson Mitsumasa]], Warlord of the Pesht Military District, passed away from cancer. Coordinator Takashi Kurita immediately appointed Chi to the position, though Chi had been hoping that Cherenkoff would be moved to Pesht and he, Chi, would be promoted Warlord of Dieron. Though he served loyally and competently in Pesht, he saw little real action as the District did not border either the [[Federated Suns]] or the [[Lyran Commonwealth]]. This situation caused Chi much boredom, as for the most part he was forced to satisfy himself commanding his troops against [[Periphery]] pirates. As Warlord, he also served as Duke of the district capital of [[Pesht]], but even then he spent much of his time on [[Luthien]]. He found himself considering retirement.<ref name=HKDCSB180/> 

During this time, ''[[Tai-sho (rank)|Tai-sho]]'' [[Marcus Kurita]], commander of the ''[[Otomo]]'' and Chief of Strategies of the DCMS, contacted Chi, expressing the hope that together, they could gain new positions offering them both greater opportunity. Knowing that General Kurita coveted his cousin Takashi's throne, Chi avoided becoming entangled with the younger Kurita's plots.<ref name=HKDCSB180/> As Warlord, Chi attended the Coordinator's "Black Room" meetings at Unity Palace on Luthien, meeting with the other Warlords, the Director of the ISF, [[Subhash Indrahar]], and the Coordinator himself. At one such meeting in [[3025]], Chi demonstrated an impressive insight and regard for matters in the [[Free Worlds League]] and [[Capellan Confederation]] with respect to the Combine's enemies. The Coordinator even privately considered that Chi might be wasted at his current post, though the time was not right for another change to his Warlord council.<ref>''Wolves on the Border (novel)'' pp. 104-105</ref>

===Warlord of Galedon===
That time would come in [[3028]], however. [[Grieg Samsonov]], Warlord of the Galedon Military District, had completely mishandled the situation with the [[mercenary]] [[Wolf's Dragoons]], leading to the disastrous Battle of [[Misery]]. Finally having enough of Samsonov's machinations and failures, the Coordinator ordered Samsonov removed from office and executed. <ref>''Wolves on the Border (novel)'' p. 335</ref> He would promptly appoint Chi to the position on [[Galedon V|Galedon]], with Marcus Kurita taking Chi's old position in Pesht. The Coordinator also allowed Chi to bring the [[6th Pesht Regulars|6th]], [[7th Pesht Regulars|7th]] and [[10th Pesht Regulars]] to supplement his new command. <ref name=NAIS1ST166>''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1'' p. 66</ref>

This came just in time for the [[Fourth Succession War]], which saw some of the most devastating fighting to engulf the [[Inner Sphere]] in centuries. Chi, most notably, was charged with finishing the job at which Samsonov had failed : to destroy Wolf's Dragoons, who had left for [[House Davion]] and were now protecting the underdefended border with the Combine's Galedon District. Chi mobilized nearly the entire [[Galedon Regulars]] brigade, attacking the Dragoons on [[Harrow's Sun]], [[Wapakoneta]] and [[Glenmora]]. Though the Kuritans took all three worlds, they were unable to completely destroy the Dragoons, and they had taken tremendous casualties in every battle. Chi was forced to replenish the units with green soldiers straight out of the academies as he sent his troops to [[Crossing]] for a final showdown with the Dragoons. Reinforced by their own [[Zeta Battalion]] and the [[10th Deneb Light Cavalry]], the Dragoons defeated the DCMS forces. <ref>''Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)'' pp. 39-43</ref>   

Fortunately for Chi, the Coordinator apparently did not ultimately hold him responsible for this failure, as he retained his post. Indeed, Chi's forces captured several worlds from Davion's [[Draconis March]] during the Fourth Succession War, including those of the so-called "Galtor Thumb". The capture of [[Galtor III]] in particular, site of a humiliating Kuritan defeat in 3025, was a particularly rewarding victory to the DCMS, and the capture of the [[Norse BattleMech Works]] on [[Marduk]] was a major boon to House Kurita's military industry. 

In June [[3031]], Chi was absent during a "Black Room" meeting on Luthien. During that meeting, it was revealed that Marcus Kurita was again trying to contact Chi. ISF Director Indrahar and Warlord Cherenkoff successfully played on Takashi's paranoia, leading him to place a watch on Chi, though even Indrahar doubted Chi would ever join in any subterfuge of Marcus'.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon (novel)'' pp. 243-244</ref>

In March [[3034]], Chi was present at a meeting where ''Gunji-no-Kanrei'' Theodore Kurita revealed the formation of the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]], despite extraordinary objections from Coordinator Takashi and Warlord Cherenkoff, who vowed to crush the rebellion of the [[Rasalhague Military District]]. Like [[Hirushi Shotugama]], Warlord of the [[Benjamin Military District]], Chi was disturbed by these events, but did not become hostile to the Dragon's heir. The younger Kurita then solicited Chi and Shotugama's advice on whom to appoint as ''Tai-shu'' of the new [[Alshain Military District]].<ref>''Heir to the Dragon (novel)'' pp. 281-286</ref> Though he would take no direct part in the [[Ronin War]], Chi ultimately became a major supporter of Theodore's military reforms.

In [[3038]], Chi met with Theodore Kurita's staff, in preparation for the coming conflict with the [[Federated Commonwealth]]. It was here that he was assigned [[Dechan Fraser]] and [[Jenette Rand]] to his command. The two were former members of Wolf's Dragoons, and were now in command of the ''[[Ryuken-roku]]''. They had spent several years helping Kurita rebuild the ''[[Ryuken]]'' and the DCMS as a whole. Though the two former Dragoons were initially uneasy with the Warlord of Galedon, they soon realized that Chi was nothing like his predecessor.<ref name=HTTD306310>''Heir to the Dragon (novel)'' pp. 306-310</ref>

===War of 3039===
When the [[War of 3039]] finally arrived, the Combine and the Galedon Military District were ready. 

In July [[3039]], Chi personally led several conventional regiments in supporting the ''[[Ryuken-yon]]'' on [[Harrow's Sun]]. The ''Ryuken'' were combating the mercenary group [[Miller's Marauders]], as well as [[Department of Military Intelligence|AFFS Special Forces]] and a pro-Davion civilian insurgency. After driving the Marauders off the planet, Chi would move on, leaving some infantry units to pacify that world.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'' p. 100</ref>

In August, Chi arrived on [[An Ting]] with the ''Ryuken-yon'' and more conventional regiments to support Dechan Fraser's ''Ryuken-roku'' against the [[17th Avalon Hussars]] and [[1st Davion Guards]], commanded by [[Field Marshals|Field Marshal]] [[Ardan Sortek]]. By the end of the month, the [[AFFS]] forces were forced to concede the planet.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'' pp. 102-104</ref><ref>''Heir to the Dragon (novel)'' pp. 342-343</ref>

In that same month, Chi dispatched elements of the [[21st Galedon Regulars]] to [[Bergman's Planet]] on a reconnaissance mission, suspecting that world had been conquered. Discovering that the mercenary [[Lindon's Battalion]] had supported yet another pro-Davion insurgency that had effectively taken control of the planetary government. Dispatching the remainder of the 21st Regulars to deal with the mercenaries, Chi's forces ultimately reclaimed the planet.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'' p. 99</ref>  

With An Ting secure, Chi sent the ''Ryuken-yon'' on to [[Huan]] to assist in repelling that world's invaders. Merely sending the ''Ryuken'' was sufficient to convince the AFFS and the [[2nd Dismal Disinherited]] to depart the planet.<ref>''Historical: War of 3039'' p. 107</ref> Overall, Chi and his district weathered the storm in impressive fashion.

===Afterward===
Sometime prior to [[3050]], Kester Chi stepped down as Warlord. [[Li Dok To]] would take his place. <ref>''20 Year Update'' p. 41</ref>

==BattleMech==
During his years as Warlord, Chi piloted an early version of the ''[[Grand Dragon]]'' BattleMech, most likely a [[Grand Dragon#Variants|DRG-1G model]]. <ref name=HKDCSB180/>

Warlord Hsiun Chi was a tinkerer and was knonw to take his spare time taking apart his Grand Dragon, trying to coax some more speed or agility from it. He also was skilled in working with wheeled vehicles.<ref name=HKDCp178>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 178 "Kester Hsiun Chi"</ref>

==Personality and Traits==
Chi was talkative and friendly and had a reputation for being kind to his troops, uncommon traits in a Kuritan officer and virtually unheard of for a Warlord of that time.<ref name=HKDCSB180/> He was particularly polite and cordial to Dechan Fraser and Jenette Rand, knowing their past allegiance to Wolf's Dragoons and working hard to put them at ease, which made for a more effective working relationship.<ref name=HTTD306310/> His ability and dedication to the Dragon was evident throughout his military career, recovering from several setbacks to become one of the most powerful men in the Combine. Indeed, in the aftermath of the Fourth Succession War, one report claimed that Takashi Kurita considered Chi his best and most level-headed General at the time.<ref name=NAIS1ST166/> Nevertheless, Chi recognized the merit and necessity of Theodore Kurita's reforms, and became a staunch supporter of the younger Kurita.

==Notes==
* There is a discrepancy in when Chi was in service to the Warlord of Dieron. His entry in ''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]'' clearly states his service in Dieron ended in 3014, after serving Cherenkoff for some time. However, multiple sources, including ''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', make it clear Cherenkoff did not even become Warlord of Dieron until [[3020]]. It seems likely that Chi actually served one of Cherenkoff's predocessors, but this remains unconfirmed.
* At the time of Chi's graduation from the Wisdom of the Dragon academy, it was mandated that five years of flawless service was required to be deployed to the elite [[Sword of Light]] regiments. <ref>''Camo Specs'' p. 6</ref> It is therefore odd that he would be appointed to the 5th Sword of Light just after finishing with the Wisdom of the Dragon. However, as there have been other examples of this occurring with other characters, the mandate regarding the Sword of Light brigade may be discounted.
* There are conflicting reports of how much of the fighting against Wolf's Dragoons Chi could have been held responsible for. Though none doubt Takashi Kurita was obsessed with the mercenaries, some reports claim that Chi did not have full control over the Galedon Regulars and other Kuritan troops that attacked the Dragoons, and was unable to restrain them. <ref>''Heir to the Dragon (novel)'' p. 209</ref> This is just as well, as there were several reports of war crimes committed by DCMS troops in an effort to exterminate the Dragoons.

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[20 Year Update]]''
* ''[[Camo Specs]]''
* ''[[Heir to the Dragon]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Historical: War of 3039]]''
* ''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]] (sourcebook)''
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1]]''
* ''[[Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook)|Wolf's Dragoons]]''
* ''[[Wolves on the Border]]'' (novel)

[[Category:Draconis Combine Characters|Chi, Kester Hsiun]]